In reference to the earlier thread "one less WRX on the road": what happens if the insurance declares the car "totaled"? Do they cover the aftermarket wheels, shifter, guage pack, etc... even though they were not damaged in the accident. Do I have rights to take these parts back off the car? Or does insurance just pay to have these options added to new car (if I get another). Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think they only cover stuff that you have receipts for. Once the car is totalled you have the first chance to buy the car back and then you can sell parts or get your parts to put on your next one.

Yes, buying back the car is a good idea. My brother's '82 320i was totalled out for like $3200 back in 1996. He bought the car back for $60. He then sold the transmission for $275, two of the wheels for $70 a piece, and the rear bumper, trunk lid, light assemblies, and suspension pieces for about $700.

Worked out pretty good for him. Not to mention he cleared out every interior piece he could. Now, when he was done, the junk yard wanted $25 to take it(as some of the engine was damaged), but he still came out ahead.

Neil

yea, buy the car back, get an impreza RS, drop in the motor ;oP

heh
caino

My sister-in-law totalled out her mustang about a month ago. http://users.megapathdsl.net/~bsudweeks/gt/ They just told the tow truck driver to take the car back to his house, and he pulled his stereo, amps, speakers, and changed it all back to stock. He ended up buying it back anyway, and parting it out over the internet. He made quite a bit of money parting it out.

When I totaled my girls 95 civic, The insurance let us go and take all of the aftermarket stuff we had put on it. We just had to give them the OEM stuff we had taken off. Luckly we had it all and just put it in a box in the trunk.

yep..
i pulled all the goodies off my GT... kissed him b bye and sent him on his way... in retrospect, i should have bought the car back... but... oh well...

insurance wont cover aftermarket stuff at all...

just the basic price of the car, then the car is sold or auctioned off... and who knows what happens to it then.

:( crap. i sure miss my car...

j.
www.subiegal.com

I think it depends on the insurance company. I've seen some people post that their insurance company payed for the cost of any aftermarket parts they could find a receipt for. Other people just take the stuff off. When my OBS was totaled, I pulled the aftermarked stereo I had installed. Ended up giving it away, though, because the Outback wagon we replaced it with came with a 6-disc changer :p

Keep in mind, though, that you should check with the insurance company before taking any parts off. When they declare the car a total loss and write you a check, it becomes their property (assuming you don't buy it back).

Jordan

how much can you expect the insurance to charge you to buy back?

is 60 bux realy a realistic estimate?

although there's not really anythign i'd want to yank form my OBS right now...save the hubcaps...

$60? Probably not. The situation that was given was for a 14 year-old car. Yours is only about 4 years old. Much higher value. Still, if you have the ability to store the wreckage (I didn't) and you think you can find buyers for the parts (anyone want to turbo an ej22?) it might be worth it.

Jordan

hopefully i'll never find out...